The history of play therapy began in the 18th century with Jean-Jacques Rousseau observing children at play. In the early 20th century, Sigmund Freud and his colleagues began using toys in therapy with children. Carl Rogers later developed person-centered therapy which influenced Virginia Axline to create child-centered play therapy. Play therapy programs were then established at universities in the 1980s and the Association for Play Therapy was formed in 1982 to advance the field. Axline outlined eight principles for child-centered play therapy including unconditionally accepting children and allowing them to solve their own problems.

1. History of Play Therapy1762 Rousseau wrote about observing children at play1903 Froebel wrote in In the Education of Man wrote about symbolic play- play is not sport but has meaning and importance1909 Freud’s Little Hans case- five year old with phobias1919-1930s Anna Freud and Melanie Klein use toys in therapy with children and introduced completing theories- Klein said play had meaning; Freud said play built a relationship with the therapist1930sFrom Rank’s work Taft and Allan counsel children with a de-emphasis on the past and interpretation of feelings- here and now focus1940-1970s Carl Rogers develops person centered therapy and his student Virginia Axline develops child centered play therapy and applied theory to school counseling and teaching1980s-present Play therapy programs are started in Universities– North Texas’ program started in 1989 and the Association for Play Therapy established in 1982Landreth, Garry. (2002). Play therapy the art of the relationship. Bristol, PA: Routledge.

2. Axline’s Eight Principles1. The therapist must develop a warm friendly relationship with the child2. The therapist unconditionally accepts the child3. The therapist develops a feeling of permissiveness4. The therapist recognized the child’s feelings expressed in play5. The therapist respects the child’s ability to solves problems for herself6. The therapist does not direct the child’s actions7. The therapist does not hurry the therapy8. The therapist established only the needed limitations needed to anchor therapy to realityAxline, V. M. (1974). Play therapy. New York: Ballantine Books.

3. View of ChildrenPlay is the work and language of children.– Lev VygotskyTo grow to be health, very young children do not need to know how to read, but they do need to know how to play.– Fred RogersA child strives towards an enter balance that guides a child’s beliefs and actions.– Virginia AxlineWho would have thought there was a place like this in the whole world?– a child in play therapyLandreth, Garry. (2002). Play therapy the art of the relationship. Bristol, PA: Routledge.

4. Types of Play TherapyThere are as many play theoretical perspectives as there are theoretical perspectivesChild centered therapyGestalt Play TherapyPsychodynamic play therapyBrief play therapySolution-focused play therapyAdlerian play therapyCognitive-Behavioral play therapyPlay therapy is not limited to children. Adults can also benefit from play therapy

5. The Play Therapy RoomUniversity of North Texas. (2010, April 23). Center for play therapy. website: http://cpt.unt.edu/about-play-therapy/playrooms/

6. Play Therapy RoomUniversity of North Texas. (2010, April 23). Center for play therapy. website: http://cpt.unt.edu/about-play-therapy/playrooms/

7. Play Therapy RoomUniversity of North Texas. (2010, April 23). Center for play therapy. website: http://cpt.unt.edu/about-play-therapy/playrooms/

8. Guidelines for Selecting ToysToys should:Allow for exploration of real life experiences including cultural values, traditions and roles.Facilitate contact with the child by gaining the child's interest and attentionPermit reality testing/limit settingProvide the opportunity for development of self-controlFacilitate exploration of the self and othersAllow children to express their needs symbolically (without any need for verbalization)Provide for expression of a wide range of feelingsProvide opportunities for insight/self-understandingAllow for creative expressionToys should also be durable, simple, and easy to operate, allow for success & are funReminder: Toys should be selected, not collectedUniversity of North Texas. (2010, April 23). Center for play therapy. website: http://cpt.unt.edu/about-play-therapy/playrooms/

9. Suggested Toys Doll furniture (sturdy wood) Gumby (bendable nondescript figure) Doll bed, clothes, etc. Bendable doll family Dolls Pacifier Nursing bottle (plastic) Chalkboard, chalk Refrigerator (wood) Dishes (plastic or tin) Pitcher Plastic food Egg cartons Broom, dustpan Crayons, pencils, paper Toy watch Paints, easel, newsprint, brushes Lone Ranger type mask Tongue depressors, popsicle sticks Truck, car, airplane, tractor, boat Pounding bench and hammer Cymbals Toy soldiers and army equipment Sandbox, large spoon, funnel, sieve, pail Rubber snake, alligator Multicolored chalk, eraser Stove (wood) Pans, silverware Dishpan Empty fruit and vegetable cans, etc. Band-aids Sponge, towel Soap, brush, comb Transparent tape Building blocks (diff. shapes and sizes) Play-Doh or clay Pipe cleaners ATV (multi-wheel vehicle for riding on) School bus (Fisher Price type) Xylophone Drum Fireman's hat, other hats Zoo animals, farm animals Bop bag (Bobo) Handcuffs Toy noise making gun Telephone (two) Construction paper (several colors) Rags or old towels Tinker toys Tissue Rubber Knife Dart gun Balls (large and small) Medical kit Blunt scissors Play money and cash register Hand puppets (doctor, nurse, etc.) Rope Purse and jewelry Landreth, Garry. (2002). Play therapy the art of the relationship. Bristol, PA: Routledge.

10. Suggested On-the-Go ToysCrayonsNewsprintScissorsNursing bottleRubber knifeDollClayDart gunToy soldiersTea setLone Ranger style maskNerf ballPipe cleanersCotton ropeTelephoneAggressive hand puppetBendable doll familyDollhouseUniversity of North Texas. (2010, April 23). Center for play therapy. website: http://cpt.unt.edu/about-play-therapy/playrooms/

11. Application to GroupAs children interact with one another, they learn about themselvesChildren help one another within the groupDepending upon the goals, children can play at the same activity or play independentlyGroup goals and cohesion are not always neededBy watching other children, a child gains the courage to attempt need behaviorsLandreth, Garry. (2002). Play therapy the art of the relationship. Bristol, PA: Routledge.

12. Books and Organizations for Play Therapy Play Therapy by Virginia AxlineDIBS in Search of Self by Virginia AxlinePlay Therapy: The Art of the Relationship by Garry LandrethThe Handbook of Group Play Therapy: How to Do It, How It Works, Whom It's Best Forby Daniel SweeneySchool Based Play Therapy Edited by Athena Drews , Lois Carey and Charles ShaeferThe University of North Texas Center for Play Therapy http://cpt.unt.edu Association for Play Therapy www.a4pt.org\Texas branch of the Association for Play Therapy www.txapt.org

13. Applications to GroupThe first group a child participates in if the family groupDifferent goals can be achieved and children in different phases of therapy can be mixed allowing for more freedom when putting groups togetherChildren are able to take what they do and see in the play room to their outside worlds’Landreth, Garry. (2002). Play therapy the art of the relationship. Bristol, PA: Routledge.

14. ReferencesAxline, V.M. (1974). Play therapy. New York: Ballantine.Landreth, Garry. (2002). Play therapy the art of the relationship. Bristol, PA: Routledge.University of North Texas. (2010, April 23). Center for play therapy. website: http://cpt.unt.edu/about-play-therapy/playrooms/